Using urine tests to guide bladder cancer follow-up surgery

This study is testing whether a non-invasive urine test—sometimes called a "liquid biopsy"—can detect cancer cells shed into your urine after an initial bladder cancer surgery. The goal is to help doctors figure out which patients truly need a second surgery to remove any remaining cancer, rather than giving everyone the same procedure regardless of whether they actually have residual disease.

Currently, all patients with high-risk early-stage bladder cancer receive a routine second surgery within 2–6 weeks, even though not everyone actually has leftover cancer. This second surgery carries real risks, costs money, and affects quality of life. A simple urine test that could identify who really needs the second surgery would spare many patients from unnecessary procedures while keeping everyone safe.